Texans report: Houston no closer to landing ball-hawk Reed

No progress has been made between the Texans and Ed Reed. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Although general manager Rick Smith and agent David Dunn have talked about free agent free safety Ed Reed since they arrived at the league meetings, they don’t appear to be closer to getting a deal done.

Obviously, Reed wants more than the Texans are offering, but they’re limited by the salary cap. They place a value on players, and it’s difficult to get them to budge.

Conflict in Baltimore

The NFL tradition of having the Super Bowl winner play a home game on Thursday night to kick off the season is being threatened by the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles are scheduled for a night game on Sept. 5. Commissioner Roger Goodell has recommended to baseball commissioner Bud Selig that the Orioles play in the afternoon, and the Ravens would play Thursday night and move back the starting time.

The Ravens and Orioles don’t play at the same time because they share many parking facilities in downtown Baltimore.

Goodell has ruled out the Ravens playing on Wednesday because of Rosh Hashanah. If he and Selig can’t work it out, the Ravens will have to play on the road. Expect the NFL to get its way.

Goodell wants team in L.A.

Philip Anschutz wants to own a team in Los Angeles. As usual, stadium location – not to mention financing – is a huge issue.

“We want to get back to Los Angeles, but we’re going to look at every alternative we have to do that successfully,” commissioner Roger Goodell said.

“There are several viable sites in Los Angeles. All of them are on the table for us.”

Goodell addresses owners

In his state-of-the-NFL address to the owners on Monday, Roger Goodell focused on two groups.

“One, is our players, with a particular focus on our retired players,” he said. “Make them feel proud that they played NFL football. Make them feel proud and celebrate them to be part of your league and your teams.

“The second group is our fans. They love this game. We need to make sure they feel a part of it.”

The league and a group of retired players, led by Jim Brown, announced a settlement of a class-action lawsuit that challenged the use of retired player images by NFL Films.

The NFL will contribute $42 million over eight years to a Common Good Fund that will be administered by a group of retired players approved by the court. The fund will be used to support organizations that now and in the future provide benefits to retired players, including medical, housing, career transition and other forms of assistance.

For the first time, retired players will have an independent licensing agency.

Photo: Matt Houston / Associated Press

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Safety Ed Reed was the No. 24 overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2002 draft. In his college days at Miami, he won a national championship and was a consensus first-team All-American.

Safety Ed Reed was the No. 24 overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2002 draft. In his college days at Miami, he won a national championship and was a consensus first-team All-American.

Photo: Matt Houston / Associated Press

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In 2004, the Associated Press named Reed the Defensive Player of the Year. That season he recorded nine interceptions.

In 2004, the Associated Press named Reed the Defensive Player of the Year. That season he recorded nine interceptions.

Photo: Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press

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Reed is the NFL’s active leader in interceptions with 61. He is No. 10 on the all-time career list.

Reed is the NFL’s active leader in interceptions with 61. He is No. 10 on the all-time career list.

Reed is the first player to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown.

Reed is the first player to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown.

Photo: Rob Carr / 2012 Getty Images

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Reed is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and has been named an All-Pro eight times.

Reed is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and has been named an All-Pro eight times.

Photo: Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press

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At 34, Reed’s NFL days are numbered. Despite his age, he has managed to maintain his intimidating status in the secondary. Last season Reed had four interceptions, 49 tackles and a touchdown. He won the first championship of his career with the Ravens, a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. less

At 34, Reed’s NFL days are numbered. Despite his age, he has managed to maintain his intimidating status in the secondary. Last season Reed had four interceptions, 49 tackles and a touchdown. He won the ... more